Can Somebody explain one Punch Man to me?

[Foeofthelance]

The major thing about One Punch Man is that Saitama's story arc doesn't appear to be resolvable by defeating a big bad villain. He's already at that point where the entire fight becomes meaningless and so he's bored with life. That is his actual goal: finding a meaning in life. He didn't have it by being an everyday salaryman, but he also wasn't able to find it in just becoming the strongest there is. All of Saitama's growth is dependent on the other characters around him and his interactions with them; whether that be by inspiring the other Class C heroes to actually be the sort of heroes the Class S types are supposed to be, or sacrificing his own ego to protect the reputations that the others had already earned. It's more of a "What do you get the guy who already has everything?" question, just wrapped in a comedic shonen series. For some it works, for others...eh.

[Anonymouswizard]

"What do you get the guy who already has everything?"

A box to put it in?

I think you've got it spot on here. The series is about Saitama and his quest to find something fulfilling. If you can't get interested in that then you won't enjoy the series. I was absorbed in that hunt and so love the show, but it's also fine not to be. I literally cannot see how Game of Thrones is supposed to be easy to get into (although I only haven't read A Song of Ice and Fire because the books are in storage). People enjoy different things, and there's no problem with finding Star Wars to be a poor man's Lensman (I mean, it sort of is, but it's also easier to get into).

[Arbane]

The major thing about One Punch Man is that Saitama's story arc doesn't appear to be resolvable by defeating a big bad villain. He's already at that point where the entire fight becomes meaningless and so he's bored with life. That is his actual goal: finding a meaning in life. He didn't have it by being an everyday salaryman, but he also wasn't able to find it in just becoming the strongest there is. All of Saitama's growth is dependent on the other characters around him and his interactions with them; whether that be by inspiring the other Class C heroes to actually be the sort of heroes the Class S types are supposed to be, or sacrificing his own ego to protect the reputations that the others had already earned. It's more of a "What do you get the guy who already has everything?" question, just wrapped in a comedic shonen series. For some it works, for others...eh.

I like a description I read somewhere - it's a typical shonen fight manga plot but from the other side. Saitama doesn't need to training to become stronger or learn any Special Techniques, he's got the 'winning fights' part covered. What he needs is to make friends, get a little respect from his fellow heroes, and maybe find a way to break out of his rut.